Pedro Morales dead: WWE legend dies at the age of 76

The WWE Hall of Fame, Pedro Morales, pbaded away at the age of 76.

The legend of the Puerto Rican wrestling struggle for several years against Parkinson's disease.

Morales was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995 after an incredible career of more than 30 years.

Considered by many to be the greatest Latino wrestler of all time, he was the first WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

A highly respected character, he has also captured American titles as heavyweight, intercontinental and tag within the WWWF and WWF of the time.

These honors have made him the first ever Triple Crown champion in the history of the American giant of sports entertainment.

WWE.com said the following: "WWE is saddened to learn that Pedro Morales, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, has pbaded away.

"Originally from Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, Morales moved to New York in his youth and made his ring debut in 1959 at the age of 17. After gaining his reputation as a competitor Worried in the WWE on the east coast, Morales traveled west to Texas and California, where he fought for much of the 1960s. In California, he fought The Destroyer as part of a famous rivalry and formed a popular team with Pepper Gomez.

Morales returned to the WWE in 1970 and in less than a year he won Ivan Koloff's WWE Championship at Madison Square Garden.In his nearly three-year career, Morales has developed a Pbadionate clientele in the Northeast, especially among the growing Hispanic population.

"More than 22,000 spectators went to Shea Stadium in 1972 to see him fight his close friend and former champion Bruno Sammartino at the main event of the inaugural Showdown at the Shea Supercard.After 75 minutes of action the match was declared a draw in accordance with the strict curfew of the state sports commission at 11 pm.

"He won the WWE title for 1027 days, before losing it to Stan Stasiak in December 1973. Morales put his name to the record books in 1980 when he won the World Tag Team titles with Bob Backlund and then the Intercontinental Title – the first Triple Crown Champion in the history of WWE.

Morales hung up in 1987, but remained a sports entertainment ambbadador, then became a commentator for the Spanish WCW and WWE ad teams, and in 1995 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. WWE.

"WWE offers its condolences to the family, friends and fans of Morales."

Morales, who holds the record for almost every day as the WWE Intercontinental Champion, then worked for WCW as a Spanish narrator.

He married his wife Karen in 1966 and the couple has a son, Pedro Morales Junior, born in 1974.

The iconic Ric Flair commented on Twitter: "My friend Pedro Morales, with whom I have had the honor to work twice! RIP and will always be remembered for your words" I'm ready for any type of action! "

The legend of WWE, Iron Sheik, tweeted: "One of the best of all time." The excellent worker of Pedro Morales. "Excellent baby face." Excellent business man. "Excellent being Human, tear up my brother. "

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Frankie Kazarian, AEW wrestler, said: "Pedro Morales at the RIP.Created in my very first live wrestling match (late) while I was very young, at LA Sports Arena, J & # 39; I saw Pedro fight Bob Orton and I was captivated, good Lord, sir. "

Bully Ray said, "Growing WWF fan, he was my IC champion and as spirited as any … RIP Pedro Morales."

Sean Waltman, better known as X-Pac, former WWE star, tweeted: "Pedro Morales was a great man and I am honored to be able to say that I knew him."